Tablets running the Windows 8 operating system are expected to go
on sale in the autumn.

Speaking to Journalism.co.uk earlier this week, Rob Grimshaw,
managing director of FT.com said the launch of Windows 8 tablets
could be a game changer in the tablet market.

"We think it will end up being a much more diverse market place and
there is room for at least a couple more big players, and given the
effort that Microsoft is putting into Windows 8 it's entirely
possible that Microsoft will be one of those players."

The FT currently has tablet apps for Windows, Apple and Android,
built using a hybrid of HTML5 and native technology.

"The same core code base is used to power FT apps for mobile
phones, tablets, and desktop and in this case has been combined
with the best elements from Windows, optimising the app for devices
running Windows 8," the release states.

Key features of the new Windows 8 app include: comprehensive access
to FT content, automatic updates and offline access. It also allows
users to find FT articles using the main Windows 8 search and has
"live tile", with the latest FT headlines on the desktop.

The app also has navigation allowing FT app the run in part of the
screen alongside other programmes, such as email. This means "you
can keep track of the news as you work", the FT states.

Speaking to Journalism.co.uk for a
podcast on why publishers are excited about Windows 8, Daniel
Sharp, co-founder of Stonewash, mobile developers that have been
working with Microsoft and have launched four apps for publishers
as part of last night's release, said Windows 8 offers a number of
features he believes will be popular, such as the concept of "full
screen snap and fill".

"You can run an application full screen and if you then get an
email you can push that application to the side and it fills a
single column down either the left or the right hand side. That
means you can get on with doing something entirely different in the
main, leftover screen."

In the last six months, readers accessing FT content via smartphone
has risen 52 per cent, with tablet reading up 49 per cent.

Users will have free access to FT content via the Windows 8 app for
a limited period once they have registered, according to the
release. Once this ends the app will be integrated into the FT.com
access model where after registering, users are able to sample the
content before subscribing.